Ryanair Strike Summer 2018! What This Means for You

By The AirHelper | Last updated on November 27, 2018

Ryanair’s disputes with its cabin crews have ramped up this summer with strikes organised by pilots and cabin crew all over Europe.

There’s clearly a big debate to be had about how Ryanair treats its staff, but we don’t think it’s fair that passengers should bear the brunt of this action. What’s worse is that while EU laws are in place to ensure passengers get compensation when their flights are canceled or delayed – Ryanair is refusing to pay up.

We’ll keep you updated with all the latest information about Ryanair’s summer of strikes here. And behind the scenes we’ll be fighting hard to get passengers the compensation they’re entitled to.

Delayed or Canceled Flight with Ryanair? You Can Get Compensation!

Ryanair’s recent actions are symptomatic of a larger issue at hand, namely evading legal statutes and putting travelers in a pinch. Certain airlines simply object to paying passengers who are rightfully owed money for delayed, canceled, or overbooked flights.

As a traveler, you do not have to take this and you have options. You can file a claim and still get paid. Ryanair will most likely keep fighting this battle, but we have expert lawyers too, and we are happy to fight for you in court and for your right to compensation.

EU law, EC 261, protects air passengers and AirHelp has a team of lawyers ready to fight on your behalf to get you the money that you’re owed.

Just to be clear, there is no actual room for debate: EU legislation EC 261 requires airlines like Ryanair to pay air passengers compensation for these types of strikes because such strikes are not considered “extraordinary circumstances.” The law is the law, even for Ryanair.

New Ruling Regarding Strikes

It’s true that strikes were formerly categorized as “extraordinary circumstances” because they were deemed beyond the control of the airline.

While some extraordinary circumstances such as adverse weather conditions, political unrest or acts of terrorism, medical emergencies, and the like still fall into this camp, an updated ruling changes the game for strikes.

In April of this year, the European Court of Justice ruled that airline staff strikes cannot be considered as “extraordinary circumstances.”

Why is this new ruling regarding airline strikes important?

Traditionally, extraordinary circumstances pardoned airlines from paying out compensation for certain events that were regarded as beyond their control. With the updated legislation, when airline staff members strike, as is happening in these Ryanair strikes, you could be eligible for compensation.

What is this Ryanair strike all about?

There are numerous issues at stake, but essentially these strikes are going ahead because Ryanair has failed to deliver viable solutions to ongoing requests from their staff for better working conditions.

An agreement with the pilots’ unions in Ireland has not been reached, and therefore, Ryanair staff members will protest this inaction.

Flight attendant unions, as well as a union for German pilots, Vereinigung Cockpit, have also not reached an agreement.

What should travelers expect?

No doubt, travel within Europe will be affected. At one of the busiest travel times of the year, air passengers may face:

Uncertainty in flight schedules

Planned and unplanned strikes

Delays

Cancellations

What do Ryanair strikes mean for summer travelers?

If you already have an existing flight booked with Ryanair, understand that you have rights.

What can air passengers do if they booked a Ryanair flight?

If you have already booked a flight with Ryanair, here are three things worth doing:

1. Regularly check your flight status

Because flights may experience haphazard delays, plan accordingly. Be prepared for longer lines and delays that may cause extended time spent in the airport.

2. Know that a delay (of 2 or more hours) means that the airline needs to provide you with certain things

In the event of delays that span more than two hours (flights with an affected distance of more than 1,500 km), the operating airline must provide passengers at the airport with meals and drinks with the option of making two phone calls or sending two faxes or e-mails.

This is to be claimed directly with the airline

3. Understand that a delay (of 5 or more hours) means you can get a refund for your ticket

If your flight is delayed by more than five hours, the airline is obligated to issue you a refund for the full price of the ticket

This is to be claimed directly with the airline

Above all, remember that flight cancellations and delays may entitle passengers (on flights to Europe on a European carrier or from Europe with any airline) to compensation of up to 600 EUR per person.

What can travelers do to avoid Ryanair strikes?

If you’re planning upcoming travel and haven’t booked any tickets yet, keep impactful events like airline strikes in mind as you make travel plans.

AirHelp is here to help you understand your air passenger rights because we are a community of travelers and we want to be part of the solution to achieve more seamless travel.

How You Can Claim

Check if your flight qualifies for compensation in a few simple steps. Remember, there’s no risk to you because AirHelp does not require you to pay out of pocket for our services. We will handle the process for you.

Timeline of Ryanair’s Summer of Strikes

12 July 2018

Starting on July 12, 2018, staff members from the budget airline, Ryanair, will strike. In fact, nearly 100 Ryanair pilots are slated to participate in the walkout.

Word has it that this airline strike won’t be an isolated incident this summer. Ryanair cabin crews are going to strike too, and they’ll strike across different countries.

Dutch pilots in the Netherlands have also joined the fight, expanding summer strike efforts to five countries.

By this point, summer strikes are piling up and so is the sum that Ryanair owes air passengers.

EU law, EC 261, explains that airlines owe their customers compensation for disruptions related to staff strikes. That financial compensation can total up to €600 per passenger.

Despite their earnest attempts to dodge the issue, Ryanair will have to pay up.

Just a few weeks ago, Ryanair’s bill was already estimated at over €33 million. Today’s strikes will increase that number by another €21 million. That’s over €54 million!

12 September 2018

Ryanair cancels 150 flights to and from Germany

Rumors of additional strikes for the month of September are trumped by Ryanair’s preemptive decision to cancel 150 flights scheduled to fly to and from Germany. Although Ryanair says it will offer alternative flights, such short notice undoubtedly leaves travelers inconvenienced and in a bad spot.

Flight delays happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept them. You may be entitled to as much as $700 in compensation if your flight has been delayed, cancelled, or overbooked within the last three years.